A UNITED NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/51/243* 10 October 1997 Fifty-first session Agenda item 112 RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [on the report of the Fifth Committee (A/51/922/Add.2)] 51/243. Gratis personnel provided by Governments and other entities The General Assembly, Taking note of the reports of the Secretary-General on gratis personnel provided by Governments and other entities1 and the related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions,2 Expressing serious concern at the impact on the geographical balance in some parts of the Secretariat of the presence of gratis personnel, in particular in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Recognizing that the use of gratis personnel, other than those performing supplementary activities, should be on an exceptional and temporary basis and for specialized functions only, 1. Emphasizes that gratis personnel are not a substitute for staff to be recruited against authorized posts for the implementation of mandated programmes and activities; 2. Reaffirms that the programme of work and mandates approved by Member States must be financed in the manner determined by the General Assembly, based upon proposals of the Secretary-General; 3. reasons; Decides that gratis personnel should not be sought for financial * Reissued for technical reasons. 1 A/51/688 and Corr.1 and Add.1-3. 2 A/51/813. 97-77515 /...